Delegate Danielle Walker’s Mother looks at a memorial poster of her late grandson, Demetry Walker, at the Rocking the House event for the late Demetry Mack Walker to endow a scholarship on December 6, 2022. Photo by Maverick Media
Delegate Danielle Walker stands with her son, Devin, as she reads a spoken word poem at 123 Pleasants during the Rock the House fundraiser. Devin Walker donated $5,000 toward the $10,000 his brother Demetry Walker’s Scholarship needs for endowment. Photo by Maverick Media
“ This is love wonderful beyond compare;
It is God’s choicest gift to mortal man;
You, who know Mother, in this thought must share,
For, she, of all, is Angel of your Clan.” ~ Marcus Mosiah Davis
S tanding on the 123 Pleasant Street stage somewhere between 1999 and heaven, Delegate Walker offered an untitled memory poem to kick off the “Rocking the House for the Late Demetry Mack Walker” fundraiser to endow a scholarship in Demetry’s name for healthcare professionals.
Del. Walker spoke with joy in the memory of her son to the many friends and family gathered including a super star lineup of of Applachian soul artists: Aristotle Jones, WVLF, Adrian Michael, Ha$h, Elias, Monstalung, and DJ STrizy that were there to perform in support.
The event was full of laughter and the smell of soul food by Lins San. This was not a somber memorial but a healing service with “deacon” Monstalung who hosted and performed original arrangements of Hip Hop classics with his band. Eric Jordan, known as Mostalung, performs at 123 Pleasant Street for the Demetry Walker Scholarship fundraiser. Photo by Maverick Media
The congregation of talented performers gathered to remember Delegate Walker’s first child, Demetry, who died of leukemia five days before his 24th birthday.
My first Love died of leukemia. He was 33—the age of ascension, they say.
Changa Kidd and I were well past our high school sweetheart days when he passed, but we had maintained a deep and beautiful friendship that endures.
For four decades, Mrs. Mary Kidd, has kept her late sons Changa and Chaka’s names alive by hosting scholarship fundraiser events. Tonight, Delegate Walker hosts her first.
Mothers like Mrs. Kidd and Delegate Walker continue their children’s legacy by assisting others in getting an education. And their efforts to ensure their sons’ names live on in the public record.
Delegate Walker introduced and passed House 4631, establishing a bone marrow and peripheral blood stem donation awareness program in Demetry’s name. And, by proclamation, The City Of Tallahassee recognizes Changa as a forever son.
Changa was a great son of Tallahassee, just as Demetry was a proud son by choice of West Virginia.
Adrian Michael performs at 123 Pleasant Street for the Demetry Walker Scholarship fundraiser. Photo By Maverick Media
When artist Adrian Michael stepped on Rockin The House stage, gloved and glowing in purple showing off his falsetto range. I missed Changa. We spent so much time listening to his Prince records.
My body was in 123 Pleasants but my memories were inside Delegate Walker’s opening memory poem in my “get ‘em -girl shorts” looking at shiny car rims.
Demetry, and Changa, are gone too soon but their memories live on.
If you have a memory of a loved one you would like to share with BBG we welcome your loved ones stories. I am inspired by Scalawag’s “Grief & other loves” series that explores southern mourning rituals as community work.
Please donate. Demetry’s scholarship needs 5,000 by Dec. 31st for endowment. The scholarship is available for students statewide, with priority consideration for LGBTQIA+ minority students with financial needs living in North Central West Virginia pursuing careers in health care.
Man draws an image of Demetry Walker at 123 Pleasants. Photo Maverick Media
All gifts are tax-deductible.
Make the check out to Your Community Foundation of North Central West Virginia, Inc. Put Demetry Walker Memorial Scholarship in the memo line. Mail to: YCF; P.O. Box 409; Morgantown, WV 26507 Photo by Maverick Media.
